UNLIMITED THINKING FOR LIMITED SPACES

Mini-Gardens Grow on Parisian No-Parking Poles

The poles lining the streets in the 2nd district of Paris are there to restrict parking, but not planting.

When I received an email from Paule Kingleur of Paris Label about her POTOGREEN project, I knew I had to post about it. Not that Paris is wanting for beautiful gardens or flower boxes, but these no-parking barriers have always been a missed opportunity for some simple urban greening. Now people are doing something about them and enlisting kids in the process.

Urban gardens now line the streets…

To dress up the city’s unsightly no-parking poles, Kingleur engaged 600 Parisian school children to plant seeds in the planters, forming a grouping of hanging pocket gardens made from recycled canvas tent fabric planted with a variety of small plants.

Kingleur’s no-parking pole gardens, made from a combination of recycled milk containers and bits of tent fabric, are produced by individuals undergoing treatment at Emmaus, a rehabilitation center.

Aluminum inside the milk containers keeps the planters from leaking, while they stay dry due to the exterior canvas.

According to Kingleur, the main objectives for the POTOGREEN project are to encourage Parisians to beautify their beloved city of lights, while also creating sustainable development and economic solidarity.

Preparing for the planting.

Paule Kingleur organized the troops.

Residents planting together in the Paris’s 2nd district.

Signs posted ask all neighborhood residents and shopkeepers to water the plants and invite them also to adopt their own planters and place them at a favorite urban spot.

I just posted about this on my blog. I love the collaborative “nature” of it. While it might be difficult (though not impossible) in a place like Manhattan, I can think of lots of small towns throughout the States (including my hometown of Beloit, Wisconsin) who could benefit from such a thoughtful project.

Erin J.

Wow! What a cool idea! That’s taking guerilla gardening and community gardening to a whole new level!

http://www.ynyogaposes.com zachynyoga

That’s a great idea, I would love to see that where I live Could use some on the parking meters.

http://www.QuestionAndPlanter.com Emmon

It’s so interesting — last week we were talking with gardeners about the potential of gardening to educate kids. And now I just saw THIS — where hundereds of kids are literally changing Paris in a way Barbara above rightly suggested would not even be possible in Manhattan. The things they must learn from this. The power to change a city! Thanks so much for sharing!

http://www.QuestionAndPlanter.com Emmon

After several months, this is still among the most memorable garden stories of the year — blending child eduation, sustainability, beauty, and urban gardening! All in one!